Open AccessHemodynamic responses to single sessions of aerobic exercise and resistance exercise in pregnancy
Author(s) -
Petrov Fieril Karolina,
Glantz Anna,
Fagevik Olsen Monika
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12899
Subject(s) - medicine , heart rate , rating of perceived exertion , blood pressure , hemodynamics , aerobic exercise , physical therapy , exertion , cardiology , vascular resistance , resistance training , physical exercise , pregnancy , cardiac output , biology , genetics
Previous research on maternal hemodynamic responses to a single exercise session during pregnancy is sparse, especially considering immediate responses to resistance exercise. The aim of the study was to examine blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and Rating of Perceived Exertion in healthy pregnant women during single sessions of continuous submaximal exercise in pregnancy week 21. Material and methods A cross‐over design was used. Twenty healthy pregnant women from four prenatal clinics in Gothenburg, Sweden, were included. On day 1, the women did 30 min of aerobic exercise and on day 3 they did 30 min of resistance exercise. Blood pressure, heart rate, and Rating of Perceived Exertion were measured after 15 and 30 min of exercise. Results After 15 and 30 min of exercise, there was a significant increase in systolic blood pressure and heart rate ( p < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure increased slightly more after 15 and 30 min of aerobic exercise ( p = 0.01) than resistance exercise ( p = 0.03). Resistance exercise was perceived as more intense than aerobic exercise after 15 min ( p = 0.02) and 30 min ( p = 0.001) of exercise. Five minutes after completing the exercise, blood pressure quickly reverted to normal although heart rate was still increased ( p = 0.001). There was no correlation between heart rate and Rating of Perceived Exertion ( r s = 0.05–0.43). Conclusions Maternal hemodynamic responses were essentially the same, regardless of whether the exercise was submaximal aerobic or resistance exercise, although resistance exercise was perceived as more intense. Aerobic and resistance exercise corresponding to “somewhat hard” seems to have no adverse effect with regard to maternal hemodynamic responses in healthy pregnancy.